Newsletter

Riding in Silence

Last Wednesday we had the Ride of Silence and a dedication of a "Ghost Bike". A ghost bike commemorates someone who's been killed while riding near the point the wreck happened. This particular ghost bike was for a Topekan killed in 1989 named Neil Rodgers. If you want to observe it, it's out on the North Side of Cypress Ridge golf course along 21st Street West of Urish.
The Ride of Silence commemorated riders like Neil who have died, and is an annual, national ceremony. It involves a ride through town in virtual silence, only speaking if there is a hazard, but mainly trying to just use standard hand signals for communication, so that folks can focus on the reason for the event.We had a great turnout of roughly 40 participants for Topeka's Inaugural Ride of Silence!
Both of these events hit sort of close to home because just a year and 7 days ago I was hit by a motor vehicle while riding in an hit and run situation. The driver was never identified, so that gap of not knowing the kind of individual that might do something like that, knowingly or not, sticks with me. Also, the realization that I could easily be one of the less fortunate individuals that had their life taken in a senseless lack of responsibility or inattentiveness can get to a person. Rather then focus on these darker aspects I appreciate the gift I was given to be able to share safe ways to ride and empower others to enjoy Topeka streets, paths and rural routes by bicycle.
Bicycling is amazing in that it localizes your experiences and allows every run to a friends, or out to eat to be an adventure. Summer really enhances this fact. Bicycling through Topeka gives me a much stronger feeling of being in tune with the neighborhoods and atmosphere in mood throughout town. Hope you can experience this on a ride soon!